Sunday Devotional

Max is a good friend. He’s steadfast and loyal, traits common to most dachshunds, but he’s also protective and loving. He shows unabashed joy when we come home and sulks like a child when we leave. It’s because of that last trait that my husband and I decided to get Max a friend. Lainey is also a miniature dachshund, but unlike Max, she is sweet and compliant. Where Max is fierce and protective, Lainey is cuddly and soft. Where Max is tireless and playful, Lainey enjoys a good nap. Despite their differences, however, she is the perfect mate for Max. They eat from the same bowl, they play together, and at times, they communicate with one another with just a subtle look. I’ve grown to enjoy watching them together. Their closeness reminds me that we all need someone to love, who loves and understands us. Even Paul, as dedicated as he was to the Lord, longed for the comfort and companionship of his good friend, Timothy. I think that’s why the Lord gives us godly friends…because He knows, better than we do, that there will come a day when having such a friend will mean the difference between continuing in the faith and falling away. 2 Timothy 1 (King James Version 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.